Available online at www.sciencedirect.

com

ScienceDirect
Transportation Research Procedia 14 (2016) 679 684

6th Transport Research Arena April 18-21, 2016

The performance of a highly modified binders for heavy duty

asphalt pavements
.U]\V]WRI%DHMRZVNL a,*, Marta Wjcik-:LQLHZVND a, Hubert Peciakowski b,
Jacek Olszacki b
a

25/(1$VIDOW6S]RR3RFN3RODQG
b
3.125/(16$3RFN3RODQG

Abstract
Long-lasting asphalt pavements as a concept arose in the late XX century. According to assumptions it is possible to achieve
durability even for 50 years. The key to achieve so long-lived is appropriate choice of an asphalt binder, except for the relevant
properties of asphalt mixtures. A few years ago a new family of highly modified binders was created which was characterized by
reversed-phase of polymer-bitumen mixture, and it is now a perfect example of a binder which fulfil the pavement longevity
assumptions concept. Based on a new, special polymer which was developed by polymer industry, a new family of binders
Highly Modified Asphalts (HiMA), has been developed hard (EN 25/55-80, PG 94-22), middle (EN 45/80-80, PG 82-28)
and soft (EN 65/105-80, PG 76-28). All binders were tested according to very wide test program. Results confirmed superior
performance of tested binders and their very positive influence on asphalt. The paper presents tests results and analysis of
polymer modified binders, HiMA type. The research has been done based on the European standards and according to the
Superpave (PG grade system).

The Authors.
by by
Elsevier
B.V.B.V..
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
2016
2016The
Authors.Published
Published
Elsevier
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of Road and Bridge Research Institute (IBDiM).
Peer-review under responsibility of Road and Bridge Research Institute (IBDiM)
Keywords: Highly modified asphalt; long lasting asphalt pavements; Superpave; PMB

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +48 24-256-99-31; fax: +48 24-365-55-96.

E-mail address: krzysztof.blazejowski@orlen.pl

2352-1465 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of Road and Bridge Research Institute (IBDiM)
doi:10.1016/j.trpro.2016.05.331

680

Krzysztof Baejowski et al. / Transportation Research Procedia 14 (2016) 679 684

1. Introduction
Research conducted by numerous academic centers over recent decades has corroborated the claim that higher
polymer content in binder produces additional quality benefits, substantially contributing to the durability
improvement of asphalt pavements in terms of cracking & rutting resistance, and fatigue. Particularly encouraging
was exceeding the limit of polymer (typically SBS Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene) content (about 7% by mass), after
which the polymer phase in the polymer-modified binder becomes continuous. However, such a significant quantity
of SBS for binder modification carried with it specific technical consequences for the production and application of
modified binder, connected with following aspects:
x stability problems during the storage and transport of modified binder,
x very high viscosity of polymer modified binder, which cause a need for higher temperatures and some problems
on building site.
The above limitations were decreased by special polymer type low viscous SBS with vinyl groups, which was
developed specially of highly-modified binder (or Highly Modified Asphalt - HiMA).
2. Principle of HiMA
Research and implementation work on new highly modified binders with a new type of polymer have shown that
they are products above standard functional properties, characterized by, inter alia, very good resistance to rutting,
water and frost and excellent fatigue strength and cracking resistance [Timm et al. 2012, 2013; Kluttz et al. 2013;
Willis et al. 2012; Scarpas et al. 2012].
In terms of structure, courses with HiMA maintaining high tolerance to increasing tensile strains (so-called
fatigue strains) [Kluttz et al. 2009; West et al.] thus potentially allowing a reduction in the thickness of the set of
asphalt courses. Full-scale testing conducted since 2009 on the experimental track in the US (NCAT Pavement Test
Track) showed that the experiment based on reducing pavement thickness by 18% and simultaneous use of a highly
modified, special HiMA binder was a success the surface proved to be resistant to rutting and fatigue cracking
[West et al. 2012].
The primary purpose behind highly-modified binders is to counteract pavement cracking and plastic deformations
(rutting), and to increase the fatigue resistance of asphalt courses. The continuous polymer network (polymer phase),
acting in the binder and bituminous mix as an elastic element, which strongly restricts crack propagation in asphalt
mixture.
Since 2011, the three new highly-modified binders have been developed as a result of laboratory work and
production tests. The purpose and applications of these PMBs are presented in table 1.
Table 1. PMB HiMA applications.
Applications
25/55-80 HiMA

Typical asphalt base courses and asphalt base courses of long-life pavements (type: perpetual pavement), high
modulus mixtures (EME/HMB).

45/80-80 HiMA

Wearing courses and binder courses of pavements exposed to very heavy loads and working at low temperatures,
as well as for other courses in specific places, e.g. on bridges

65/105-80 HiMA

Special technologies, e.g. SAMI courses, for the production of asphalt emulsions used in slurry seal; because of
its high penetration.

HiMA can be used in technologies and locations for which the required durability is very high.

681

Krzysztof Baejowski et al. / Transportation Research Procedia 14 (2016) 679 684

3. PMB HiMA test results

Asphalt mixtures made with the HiMA have been tested in the course of laboratory works, process tests and road
trial sections. Below are presented test results of the HiMA binders.
3.1. Basic test results as per EN 14023
Table 2. shows the selected required properties of PMB HiMA in reference to the methods from EN 14023.
Table 2. The test results of PMB HiMA as per EN 14023.
25/55-80 HiMA

45/80-80 HiMA

65/105-80 HiMA

Property

Test
method

Unit

Test result

Test result

Test result

Penetration at 25 C

EN 1426

0,1 mm

41

66

87

Softening point R&B

EN 1427

95.0

92.0

87.2

5.5

3.7

3.5

(at 15 C)

(at 10 C)

(at 10 C)

Cohesion

Force ductility by
ductilometer
method (tension of
50 mm/min.)

Breaking point (Fraass)

Elastic recovery

EN 13589
EN 13703

J/cm2

EN 12593

-16

-20

-22

at 25 C

EN 13398

90

96

95

at 10 C

EN 13398

71

76

85

3.2. Test results of low-temperature properties

In the Performance Grade system, the Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR) was used to test binder behavior at low
temperatures.
Table 3 presents low-temperature property testing results, with the test carried out by the Bending Beam
Rheometer, and the samples aged in RTFOT and PAV.
Table 3. Low-temperature results for PMB HiMA binder ageing (RTFOT+PAV), by the BBR at S(60) = 300 MPa, m(60) = 0.3
and stiffness S at -16 C).
Critical temperature
at S(60) = 300 MPa
T(S)60 [C]

Critical temperature
at m(60) = 0.3
T(m)60 [C]

Binder stiffness
at -16 C
S(T)-16 [MPa]

EN 14771
AASHTO PP 42

EN 14771
AASHTO PP 42

EN 14771
AASHTO PP 42

25/55-80 HiMA

-18,5

-16,2

229,5

45/80-80 HiMA

-19,7

-19,8

181,3

65/105-80 HiMA

-20,6

-20,8

171,3

Binder type

Additionally, the low temperature properties were checked in TSRS test according to EN 12697-46 on asphalt
concrete AC 16 for binder courses. The same mineral mixtures with different binders were tested in order to
compare critical cracking temperature.
The results are presented in table 4.

682

Krzysztof Baejowski et al. / Transportation Research Procedia 14 (2016) 679 684

Table 4. Low-temperature results for AC 16 with PMBs HiMA; TSRST method acc. to EN 12697-46, -10 K/h.
Critical cracking temperature [C]

Critical stress [MPa]

Binder type
EN 12697-46

EN 12697-46

25/55-80 HiMA

-33,9

4,7

45/80-80 HiMA

-35,9

4,6

65/105-80 HiMA

-36,9

4,2

3.3. Test results of high-temperature properties

Resistance of the binder to high temperatures was determined in Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR)
Table 5 presents the DSR test results for the relevant properties. Test parameters:
x complex stiffness PRGXOXV* DQGDQJOHSKDVHRIWKHQRWDJHGELQGHUWRGHWHUPLQHFULWLFDOWHPSHUDWXUHDW
* VLQ N3D
x FRPSOH[VWLIIQHVVPRGXOXV* DQGDQJOHSKDVHRIWKHELQGHUDIWHU57)27WRGHWHUPLQHFULWLFDOWHPSHUDWXUHDW
* VLQ N3DRIWKHELQGHUDIWHURTFOT.
Table 5. The DSR test results.
Critical temperature DW* VLQ N3D
binder prior to RTFOT [C]

Critical temperature DW* VLQ N3D

binder after RTFOT [C]

AASHTO T 315

AASHTO T 315

25/55-80 HiMA

105,2

95,4

45/80-80 HiMA

98,2

84,3

65/105-80 HiMA

94,3

77,4

Binder type

Apart from binders test according to Superpave method, the routine rutting test according to EN 12697-22 (small
apparatus, 60 C, 10000 cycles, in air) has been executed. The results (showed in table 6) confirmed very good
resistance of asphalt concrete mixtures for plastic deformation.
Table 6. The rutting test results of AC 16 with HiMA binders.
WTSair [mm/1000 cycles]

RD [mm]

EN 12697-22

EN 12697-22

25/55-80 HiMA

0,05

2,1

45/80-80 HiMA

0,06

2,6

65/105-80 HiMA

0,09

3,1

Binder type

4. Experimental sections in Poland

In October 2013, the first experimental section of road pavement with PMB 65/105-80 HiMA was completed in
Poland. This was the 6th section constructed with HiMA in Europe and the first in Poland. Two wearing course
sections were placed, one made of AC 11 (layer thickness of 4 cm), and the other of a special SMA 5 DSH mix (socalled ultra-thin silent pavement, 2 cm thick wearing course). These trial sections provided a lot of process data:

Krzysztof Baejowski et al. / Transportation Research Procedia 14 (2016) 679 684

x production at the asphalt plant should take place in the same temperature as with conventional PMB mixtures,
x compaction on the road of asphalt mixtures with highly-modified HiMA binder need more attention especially
when compaction is realized in colder weather period,
x hand-working areas should be avoided,
x all equipment should be cleaned as soon as possible, when asphalt mixtures is still warm. .
In 2014 and 2015, successive sections incorporating another type of HiMA binder: PMB 45/80-80 HiMA were
completed. These were:
x
x
x
x
x

August 2014, road No.793 in Poland, length 1 500 m, wearing course of AC11 and SMA 5 DSH,
October 2014, road No.928 in Poland, length 800 m, wearing course of SMA 11 on a railway bridge deck,
October 2014, road by-pass in Poland, length 1 000 m, wearing course of SMA 11,
June/July 2015, highway No. A4 in Poland, length 14 000 m, wearing course of SMA 11,
2015, more than 10 sections in Silesia region, different courses, including full depth asphalt constructions with
PMB HiMA.

5. Conclusions
Highly modified asphalt PMB HiMA is a binder dedicated to applications requiring binders with very high
performance:
x
x
x
x

asphalt pavements subjected to high strains, e.g.: on bridge decks,

top layer with resistance to low temperatures,
thin and ultra-thin wearing courses,
asphalt base-courses with very high fatigue strength, e.g.: for long-lasting pavement types as perpetual
pavements.

Results of tests proved the HiMA binders could be applied in a wide range of pavement temperatures. Low
temperature properties, as per BBR test, showed that binder is resistant to temperature induced cracks. It is worth to
see that both BBR parameters (m and S) for medium and soft PMB HiMA are not only low but with close values
as well. From the other hand the rutting test results showed that all HiMA binders present extremely good rutting
resistance.
We have seen an increase of traffic loading in terms of numbers of passing vehicles, but also of an increased
share of the maximum axle loads. On the other hand the investors and road users are setting higher requirements
(warranty periods of up to 10 years for instance). So we thus face an increasing challenge that calls for smart
solutions either in mix or binder quality or both. New modified binders with increased polymer levels (HiMA) are
able to comply with these high requirements.

Acknowledgements
All tests presented in the publication were conducted at:
x
x
x
x

ORLEN Laboratorium Sp. z o.o. (laboratory accredited in PCA No. AB 484), Plock, Poland
Research Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Inc. (VAnCh), Czech Republic
Gdansk University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering and the Environment, Gdansk, Poland
Ekonaft sp. z o.o. (laboratory accredited in PCA No. AB 496), Trzebinia, Poland

683

684

Krzysztof Baejowski et al. / Transportation Research Procedia 14 (2016) 679 684

References
AASHTO TP 70: Standard Method of Test for Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR) Test of Asphalt Binder Using a Dynamic Shear
Rheometer (DSR)
Anderson R. M. (2011), Understanding the MSCR Test and its Use in the PG Asphalt Binder Specification, Asphalt Institute
%DHMRZVNL.2OV]DFNL-3HFLDNRZVNL++LJKO\0RGLILHG$VSKDOW25%,721+L0$+DQGERRN25/(1$VIDOW-2015
Kluttz R. Q., E. Jellema, M.F. Woldekidan and M. Huurman, Highly Modified Bitumen for Prevention of Winter Damage in OGFCs, Am Soc.
Civil E., 2013.
Kluttz R. Q., Molenaar A. A. A., van de Ven M. F. C., Poot M.R., Liu X., A. Scarpas and E.J. Scholten. Modified Base Courses for Reduced
Pavement Thickness and Improved Longevity. Proceedings of the International Conference on Perpetual Pavement, October, 2009,
Columbus, OH.
Kluttz R., Willis J.R., Molenaar A., Scarpas T. and Scholten E. (2012), Fatigue Performance of Highly Modified Asphalt Mixtures in Laboratory
and Field Environment, 7th RILEM International Conference on Cracking in Pavements
Timm D., M. Robbins and R. Kluttz. Full-Scale Structural Characterization of a Highly Polymer-Modified Asphalt Pavement. Proceedings of the
90th Annual Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 2011.
Timm D., Powell R., Willis J. and Kluttz R. (2012), Pavement Rehabilitation Using High Polymer Asphalt Mix, submitted for the Proc. 91st
Annual Transp. Research Board, Washington, DC.
Timm D.H., M.M. Robbins, J.R. Willis, N. Tran and A.J. Taylor. Field and Laboratory Study of High-Polymer Mixtures at the NCAT Test
Track. Draft Report, National Center for Asphalt Technology, Auburn University, 2013.
West R., Timm D., Willis R., Powell B., Tran N., Watson D., Brown R., Robbins M., Vargas-Nordbeck A., and Nelson J., Phase IV NCAT
Pavement Test Track Findings. Draft Report, National Center for Asphalt Technology, Auburn University, February 2012.
Willis J., Timm D., Kluttz R., Taylor A. and Tran N. (2012), Laboratory Evaluation of a High Polymer Plant-Produced Mixture, submitted for the
Assoc. Asphalt Paving Technol. Annual Meeting, Austin, TX.